Vacuum-cleaner.



E. M. & B. M. KENT- I VACUUM CLEANER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4.1912.

1,1 86,208. Patented June 6, 1916.

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VACUUM CLEANER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4. 1912.

Patented Jim 6, 1916.

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v A6. 24, 42w? E. M. & B. M. KENT.

VACUUM CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4.1912.

Patented June 6, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EUGENE M. KENT, F ROME, NEW YoR 'ANn BERT M. KENT, OF WASHINGTON, DIS- TRICT or COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOBS 0F ONE-THIRD TO SAID BERT M. KENT, oNE- THIRD 'I'O FAY T. KENT, AND ONE-THIRD TO YORK.

GrOIRCDON E. KENT, ALL-OF ROME, NEW

VACUUM-CLEANER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 6, 1916.

Application filed June 4, 1912. Serial No. 701,525.

. have invented certain new and useful Im provements in Vacuum-Cleaners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more particularly to means for separating thedust and dirt from the air in order that the atmosphere will not be polluted by the air discharged from the apparatus.

The invention is particularly applicable to the so-called stationary plants which are adapted to be located in the cellar of a dwelling or at any other suitable point, pipes being run from the plant to various parts of the building, these pipes being permanently installed and provided with suitable inlet connections to which a flexible. hose provided with a cleaning nozzle may be attached.

While the invention is intended for use in stationary plants it is not limited to such use as it is equally well adapted for portable plants.

Some of the objects of the invention are to provide a separator of simple construction, which is eificient in operation, durable, and has a minimum effect on the vacuum produced by the pump or analogous device and consequently reduces the power consumption to a minimum.

Another object is to provide a separator having a screening device which is adapted to automatically clear itself of the dust and dirt which it separates from the air, and therefore will not clog up andcut ofi the passage of air and destroy the elfectiveness of the apparatus.

A further object is to provide a separator which is not liable to be damaged by lighted cigarettes, etc., which may be picked up by the cleaning nozzle, and which will extinguish such and prevent their setting fire to the other inflammable materials which are ordinarily picked up by vacuum cleaning systems.

With these and other objects in view as will be apparent from the following description the invention may be embodied in various forms of apparatus, examples of which are illustrated 1n the accompanying drawings.

In the drawmgs, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the preferred form of the invention, the suction creating device being shownin elevation, Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line A-A of Fig. '1, Fig. 3 is an elevation showing a modified form of the invention with certain parts broken away and other parts shown in section.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings 10 indicates the suction creating device which may be of any preferred type. \Ve prefer to use a centrlfugal fan owing to its compactness, few parts and comparatively small power consumption, these features rendering such a fan particularly desirable in systems of this kind where, as a rule, the apparatus is usually neglected and consequently is required to work efficiently for long periods of time without proper attention. We have illustrated such a fan at 10 and have also shown an electric motor 1.1 directly connected therewith and provided with a switch 12 by means of which the motor may be started and stopped. The switch 12 may be located at any convenient point at 'a distance from the motor, if desired. The casing of the fan 10 is provided with the usual central intake 13 and the peripheral exhaust or discharge outlet 14. A casing consisting of the upper horizontal cylindrlcalportion 15 and the lower conical or tapering portion 16, has one end thereof secured to the fan casing by screws 17 and the other end closed by a cover plate 18 which is secured to the casing by bolts 18. On the side 19 of the fan is arranged a ball bearing 20 whichcarries a disk or plate 21, and in a central opening in the cover plate 18 is arranged a ball bearing 22 in which is mounted the member 23. The member 23 has a tubular extension 24, provided with slots 25, and rigidly connected with one end of a tube 26, the other end of this tube being secured to a suitable flange 27 on the plate 21. The plate 21 and the member 23 are thus rigidly connected together and the whole constitutes a spool-like structure, on which is arranged a cylindrical screen 28, preferably metallic and of fine mesh and held in positlon by bands 29 and 30 or in any other suitable manner. The spool-like structure, with the screen, thus forms a horizontal cage or drum which being mounted on the ball bearings 20 and 22 is adapted to revolve freely. I

The member 23 comprises the outer beveled flanges 32 and 33 and two spaced disklike portions, between which are arranged the vanes 31 thus forming a wind wheel or motor. The member 23 also carries a tubular member 34, preferably arranged concentric to the tubular extension 24. The central portion of the inner disk portion of the member 23 is curved outwardly as at 35 for reasons to be described hereinafter. The tubular end 36 of the member 23 is arranged in the ball bearing 22, and a flange end thrust and therefore holds the ca e against endwise movement in the other irection. The flangemember 37 is provided with screw threads or other means adapted to form a suitable connection for an intake p The side plate 19 of the fan may be provided with a circular flange 39 which cooperates with concentric flanges 40 and 41 on the plate 21 to form a labyrinthian passage adapted to prevent dust and other substances from reaching the ball bearing 20. The cover plate 18 may be similarly pro" vided with a flange 42 which cooperates with the flanges 33 and 43 on the member 23 to protect bearing 22.

The cover plate 18 is provided curved wall 44 which forms an annular pocket adjacent the outer portion of the member 23 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. The cover plate 18 may also be provided with a base or foot 45 by means of which one end of the separator may be supported. The other end of the separator is Supported by the fan which may be conveniently provided with a foot or base 46.

The upper part of the'casing 15 is provided with a suitable hand hole 47, which is closed by a cover 48 held in position in any convenient manner, as by the bolts 49. The

lower portion 16 of the casing is preferably in the form of a neck 50, which may be provided with a suitable valve 51 or other convenient means for opening and closing the passage through theneck.

The operation is as follows: The fan 10 being in operation, air will be drawn through the conduit which is connected to flange 37, from the cleaning nozzle (not shown). The air will pass in through the tubular extension 36 of the member 23 and then be distributed radially between the with the fore causes the screen 28 to be thoroughly washed, the water clinging to the edges of the openings through the screen. After passing between the vanes 31, the air will strike the flange 32 and be deflected into the annular chamber at the periphery of said flange. The current of air will be reversed in this annular chamber and it will also be greatly reduced in velocity. The reversal of the current of air and its reduction in velocity 3 will cause the heavier particles to be precipitated into the water. The air will pass into the annular chamber surrounding the screen 28 and through the screen and between the tubes 26 and 34 and then through the slots or openings 25 intothe tube 26 and through the latter to the fan inlet 13. The tube 34 preferably extends longitudinally of the cage a suflicient distance to cause the air to be distributed uniformly over the whole of screen 28, and also serves to prevent the air from all passing directly through the screen near the member 23. As the air passes through the screen, the dust is caught by the wet surfaces, these surfaces being to the fine dust and dirt, more or less sticky. As the screen is revolved it passes through the water and the dust and dirt are washed therefrom,oand all parts thereof maintained in a saturated condition. Occasionally, particles'of water maybe detached from the screen and carried into the interior thereof bythe air current. These however will be removed from the air as it turns around the end of tube 34 or has its direction reversed in passing through the slots 25. By having the wall. 35 curved outwardly the concave side thereof forms a pocket for catching the particles of water, these particles running down through the slots 25 and eventually being returned to the main body of water.

In order to prevent water from flowing through tube 26 into the fan, we have provided the annular shoulder 52 adjacent the lfan inlet, this shoulder acting as a dam to prevent water from passing that point.

The convex side of Wall 35 serves'to direct the current of air between the vanes 31, without an abrupt turn. The flanges 33, 39, 40, .41, 42 and 43will effectually keep dust and Water from reaching the bearings -20 Since the water on the screen intercepts the dust it will be seen the openings through the screen do not have to be so small that the particles cannot pass through as is the case of a dry screen and therefore the power required to draw the air through the screen will be much less than in the case of the cloth screens heretofore commonly in use. By opening valve 51 the water and dirt may be drawn oil into any appropriate receptacle and by removing the plate 48 a hose may be introduced into the casing 15 and the whole interior of the separator thoroughly washed, the water passing out through the valve 51.

In order to provide for the evaporation of the water in the separator and maintain the water level constant we provide a reserve supplv and have means for automatically feeding the water from the supply to the separator when the level in the latter falls below normal.

Referring to Fig. 2 it will be seen that we have provided a reserve supply chamber 53 on one side of the casing 15 and above the normal water level. A filling opening is provided in the upper wall 54 ofthe chamber 53, and provided with a GJVGI Below chamber 53 is another chamber 56 which is partly above and partly below the normal water level and in communication with the interior of the separator by means of a port 57. A plug 58 is screwed into the wall 59 between chambers 53 and 56, and is provided with a central bore in which is arranged a rod 60 having a groove 61 extending longitudinally thereof whereby the rod is adapted to serve as a valve. The lower end of rod 60 is connected with a float 62 in chamber 56. A plug 63 is provided in the lower wall 64 of chamber 56, whereby the float 62 and plug 58 are rendered accessible.

It will be observed that the lower end of groove 61 is at the lower end of plug 58 so that water can only flow from chamber 53 through groove 61 into chamber 56 when the lower end of the groove is below the lower end of the plug. As water flows into chamber 56 from chamber 53 the float 62 rises and shuts off the groove 61. The water level in the separator may be raised or lowered by adjusting the float on rod 60 or by adjusting the plug 58. V

While we have shown, asthe preferred means for revolving the screen, an air motor actuated by the current of incoming air, it is obvious that other means may be employed for this purpose within the scope of many of the appended claims and therefore, we do not wish to be limited in all 'cases to means shown and described.

Referring to Fig. 3 it will be seen that we have illustrated another form of the invention in which the air is passed through the fan or suction creating device before going to the separator. The separator may be the same as that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 except that in place of the side plate of the fan forming one end of the casing 15, a special end plate 60' is provided. This end plate has a central hub 61. on which is arranged the ball bearing 20 and which may be provided at its outer end with screw threads 62' or other means for attachment of an exhaust pipe. The fan -10 may be driven by means of a motor of any type and theoutlet 14 of the fan is connected with the inlet for the separatorby a pipe 63. In order to prevent large particles from entering the fan, means may be provided in the suction pipe for intercepting such particles. For purposes of illustration we have shown a casing 64 into which the suction pipe 65 extends. The casing may be provided with an outlet 66 above the lower end of pipe 65, this outlet being connected directly with the intake for the fan. 'By this arrangement the air will be compelled to reverse its direction around the lower end of the pipe 65 and in so doing the larger and heavier particles will be thrown into the bottom of the casing.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: 1. In a vacuum cleaning system, the combination of a stationary casing, a suction pipe connected With the casing, a screen, substantially in the form of a surface of revolution, arranged in the casing, means for passing a current of dirt-laden air from said pipe inwardly through the screen, means actuated by the current of air for revolving the screen, and means for continuously washing the screen as it revolves.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing, a revoluble horizontally arranged screen in the casing, means for passing a current of dirt-laden air inwardly through the screen, means at one end of the screen for uniformly distributing the air to the external surface of the screen and for revolving the screen, and means for washing the screen as it revolves.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a stationary casing, a revoluble horizontally arranged screen in the casing, means for passing a current of dirt-laden air inwardly through the screen, means for uniformly distributing the air to the screen and for revolving the screen, and said casing being adapted to contain a body of liquid for washing the lower side of the screen as the latter revolves.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination .of a casing, removable end plates for the casing, a revoluble horizontally arranged cylindrical screen in the casing and mounted on bearings on the end plates, means at one end of the screen for uniformly distributing the air to the exterior of the screen and for revolving the latter, and said casing being adapted to contain a body of liquid for washing the lower side of the screen.

5. In an apparatusof the class described, the combination of a casing, a revoluble, horizontally arranged cylindrical screen in the casing, means for passing a current of dirt-laden air inwardly through thescreen, an air inlet in the casing, means directly connected to the screen and adapted to be engaged by the current of air passing from said inlet to the screen to revolve the screen,

and said casing being adapted to contain a body of liquid in the casing for washing the lower side of the screen.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing, a revoluble,

horizontally arranged cylindrical screen in screen in the casing, means for passing a current of dirt-laden air inwardly through the screen, means for revolving the screen, means whereby water is applied to the screen for removing the dirt therefrom, and means adapted to separate water from the air after the latter has passed through the screen.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing, a revoluble screen in the casing, means for passing a current of dirt-laden air inwardly through the screen, means for revolving the screen, means whereby water ,is applied to the screen for removing the dirt therefrom, and means arranged within the screen for separating water from the air.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing, 21- revoluble,

horizontally arranged screen in the casing,

means for passing a current of dirt-laden air inwardly through the screen, a body of liquid in the casing adapted to wash the screen as the latterrevolves, a fluid motor in the casing for revolvmg the screen, and

menace tubes arranged within the screen and adapted to coiiperate to reverse the direction of the air within the screen whereby Water is separated from the air.

.10. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination. of a casing, a revoluble, horizontally arranged screen in the casing, an air inlet in axial alinement with the screen, a motor' on the endof the screen adapted to distribute the air from the inlet to the exterior of the screen and revolve the screen, means at the end of the screen adapted to deflect the air away from the screen after passing through the motor whereby the direction of the air is reversed between the motor and the screen, an exhaust from the casing, at the opposite end of the screen in axial alinement with the screen, and means for applying a liquid to the screen to wash the same.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing, suction means forming a closure for one end of the casing, a removable plate at the other end of the casing, a revoluble, horizontally arranged screen in the casing and having bearings on said suction means and said plate, an air inlet in said plate in axial alinement with the screen, means at the end of the screen adjacent said plate for distributing the air to the outer surface of the screen and for revolving the screen, an axial outlet from the interior of the screen to said suction means, and means for applying a liquid to the screen for washing the latter.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing having removable end plates, a removable, horizontally arranged cylindrical screen having bearings on said end plates, an air inlet to the casing through one ofsaid bearings, an outlet from the interior or the screen through the other of said bearings, means at one end of the screen adapted to revolve the same, means for removing dirt from the screen, and cooperating concentric rings on the ends of the screen and said end plates adapted to protect the bearings from flying particles of dirt.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing having an upper cylindrical portion and a lower conical portion, a revoluble, horizontally arranged cylindrical screen in the cylindrical portion of casing, removable end plates for the cylindrical portion, bearings supporting the screen and arranged on the end plates, an outlet from the conical portion of the casing, a valve device controlling said outlet,- said cylindrical portion of the casing having an opening in the upper part thereof, and a removable cover for said opening.

1%. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing, a horizontally arranged revoluble cylindrical screen in the Ill) casing, means at one end of said screen adapted to draw air inwardly through the screen, means actuated by said suction means for revolving said screen, an inlet into said casing for dirt laden air, and means for washing said screen as it revolves.

15. In an apparatus of the class described,

the combination of a casing, a horizontally arranged revoluble cylindrical screen in said casing, suction means secured to one end of said casing in alinement with said screen, an inlet into said casing for dirt-laden air,

means for delivering air from the interior EUGENE M. KENT.

BERT M. KENT.-

Witnesses:

ARTHUR L. BRYANT, A. E. T. HANSMANN. 

